7 Signs You’re Not As Healthy As You Think

Let’s face it, we all feel tired and worn down by the trials and tribulations of life itself. But there are some red flags that many people write off as simply part and parcel of the human experience when they could be something more serious. Take a note of the following, then, and if you see warning lights we recommend seeing a doctor.

Poor Sleep Pattern

Sleep is about getting all-round rest, and is vital if you’re going to fend of illness. Fail to sleep and serious malfunctions in your brain and body are set in motion.

If you still lived hand to mouth and were required to fend off predators you’d need your sleep to keep your strength. But outside these primal behaviors sleep in the 21st century is more essential than ever and it’s also a costly thing to waste.

Often if we’re having difficulty nodding off it’s due to the amount of the hormone cortisol in our body, so try to de-stress before bed to combat this.

Apple-shape

Many people are carrying a few extra pounds around with them, but did you know one type of overweight is more dangerous than the other.

An apple-shaped body accumulates excess fat around the waist rather than on the hips and thighs. Although excess fat anywhere is less than ideal, abdominal fat is potentially dangerous.

Those with apple curves- more fat around their waist and belly- are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and some types of cancer.

Despite what advertising may tell you, there is no pill that will get rid of abdominal fat. The solution is daily exercise and a healthy diet.

Constant Exhaustion

This is particularly difficult to pin-point in the modern world because everything is so intense it’s any wonder we have any energy left, ever.

However, if tiredness is becoming chronic then it might be worth checking it out- from thyroids to burn out adrenal glands it could be a problem that needs to be addressed.

The thyroid gland is one of the unsung powerhouses of the body – its crucial roles involve controlling our metabolic rate, body temperature, energy levels, and growth and development. If not enough thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid gland, our metabolic rate and the systems of the body slow down – this is known as hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid (BioCeuticals)

Dark urine throughout the day

A heavy night’s boozing will lead to some pretty nasty toilet trips, but just because you have dark urine doesn’t necessarily mean that it is always dangerous.

Dark urine can be caused by many factors, such as the food you eat, how hydrated you are, and of course certain illnesses.

Obviously, one of the biggest concerns with dark urine is dehydration. Are you drinking enough water. The less water you drink, the higher urine concentration you will have, which means your urine will be darker than normal. Now, dehydration is, of course, only one possible explanation for dark urine.

Sleep apnea has gone from little-known condition to all-over-the-papers in the last couple of years, and the evidence isn’t up for discussion. Although snoring is usually benign, it can be the sign of this sleep disorder which could lead to hypertension and heart failure.

Incessant itching

Rashes and skin irritations are par for the course of doing many things in many situations, however it could be another important warning sign.

Liver disease is incredibly hard to detect until it’s often too late, but excessive itching does occur in some sufferers.

Cracked lips and corners of the mouth

Cheilitis, an inflammation of the lip or lips, could mean you have a deficiency in B vitamins, with the lack of B12 a culprit in particular. This is pretty easy to rectify with supplements or a change of diet, including the use of more nutritional yeast where possible.